1. Use the DISCUSSION tab above to find your discussion questions and/or tasks.
2.POST the selected response items created collaboratively with your discussion group here (as a group decide who will take the lead and post each item):
· 1 binary-choice assessment item Choose fact or opinion:
Dogs are smarter than cats.
· 1 multiple binary-choice assessment item Read the sentence stated below. Answer true or false to each statement.
Abby, Emma, Bob, and Kevin are all best friends. Emma is taller than Abby but shorter than Kevin. Kevin taller than Emma and Bob. Bob is shorter than Kevin and Emma. Bob is taller than Abby.
1. Emma is the tallest.
2. Kevin is the tallest.
3. Abby is the shortest.
4. Bob is the shortest.
5. Bob is the tallest.
(answers: 1. false, 2. true, 3. true, 4. false, 5. false)
· 1 multiple-choice assessment item Read the question and circle the best response.
Timmy started with ten apples. His friend Joey gave him four more apples. His other friend Jill gave Timmy two apples. How many apples does Timmy have?
a. 10 apples
b. 4 apples
c. 14 apples
d. 12 apples
e. 16 apples
(answer: d. 16 apples)
· 1 matching item
Read all of the choices in column a. The items in column be can be found in the different states from column b. Match column a with the choices in column b.
COLUMN A
Grand Canyon
Statue of Liberty
Mount Rushmore
Golden Gate Bridge
White House
COLUMN B
New York
South Dakota
Arizona
Washington D.C.
California
3. POST YOUR GROUP CONSENSUS HERE (The group leader for these 4 Short Answer activities will be the member whose middle name comes earliest in alphabetical order.):
Short Answer Item # 1 - flaw(s)? The group has agreed that the flaw in this short answer item is the fill-in-the-blanks.
Evidence: This item goes against a few of the Item Writing Guidelines. First, one of the guidelines states that a direct question is always better for a short answer question as opposed to filling in the blank. This short answer could definitely confuse a student opposed to if a teacher used a direct question. Second, it goes against the guideline that states that all blanks should be treated equally. One blank is a lot larger than the other blank which supplies unintended clues to the students. The student would know that the first blank is a longer answer compared to the second one. Teachers should not vary the length of any blanks. Lastly, the guidelines also state that it is better to have a line at the end of the statement to write the answer because it is easier to grade and doesn't look like "Swiss Cheese".
Short Answer Item # 2 - flaw(s)? The group has agreed that the flaw in this short answer item is the placement of the blank. Evidence: The item goes against the Item Writing Guidelines, it would have been better to structure this sentence by putting the blank at the end of the statement rather than at the beginning. The two least frequently used parts of speech in the English language are _ and . If you change the question around like this then it is much clearer for the students to understand. Also, it is now easier for the teacher when scoring the students tests.
Short Answer Item # 3 - flaw(s)? The group has agreed that the flaw in this short answer item is that it provides an unclear statement as to what kind of turtle the teacher is referring to.
Evidence: This item is breaking Commandment #2, though shall not state ambiguous statements in your assessment items. This question would most likely confuse the students because the students do not know what kind of turtle the teacher is talking about. It would be better for the teacher to actually state the type of turtle that is in the story “Tardy Turtle” instead of making the kind of turtle unclear. This is a very confusing question, which would be difficult for a child to answer correctly. Lastly, the line in the question could be longer because this question is for third grade students who tend to write very large.
Short Answer Item # 4 - flaw(s)? The group has agreed that the flaw in this short answer item is the different lengths of the blanks.
Evidence: This item goes against the Item Writing Guideline that states that all blanks are to be treated equally. The blanks are not the same length so the teacher is actually giving their student unintended clues about the answer. Since there are two blanks, the student can possibly narrow it down to the correct answer.
4. POST YOUR GROUP CONSENSUS HERE (The group leader for these 4 Essay activities will be the member whose birthday is closest to Independence Day, July 4th.):
Essay Item # 1 - flaw(s)? The group has agreed that the flaws in this Essay Item are the options that the teacher gives to the students to complete the essay as well as the time limit he/she sets for the students.
Evidence: This essay goes against the Item Writing Guideline that states that it is best not to offer optional items on essay exams. The teacher gives the students the option to choose which branch of government they believe is the most powerful. This makes it impossible for a teacher to compare exam performance on a common scale. Also, the teacher gives her students a half hour to complete the essay when she requires 500 words or less. This could be difficult for students to complete in that amount of time considering some students don’t work as fast as others.
Essay Item # 2 - flaw(s)? The group has agreed that there are many flaws in this essay item. First the teacher does not specify how long the item should take to complete, second, it provides opaque directions, and third, the teacher gives the students more than one option.
Evidence: The group has agreed that there are many flaws in this essay item. First the teacher does not specify how long the item should take to complete, second, it provides opaque directions, and third, the teacher gives the students more than one option.
Essy Item # 3 - flaw(s)? The group has agreed that the flaw in this essay item is that it employs complex syntax in the assessment and it does not state how many points the question is worth.
Evidence: This item goes against Commandment #4 which states that you shall not employ complex syntax in assessment items. The sentences are way to long and difficult for students. Also, it goes against the Item Writing Guideline that says that students should be aware of which items count for the most points. This item does not state how much the essay question is worth. If they do not know how much everything is worth they may spend more time on the less important items and less time on the more important ones.
Essay Item # 4 - flaw(s)? The group has agreed that that flaw in this essay item is the opaque direction given and the teacher does not state how much the question is worth.
Evidence This item goes against Commandment #1 which states that thou shall not provide opaque direction to students. The test directions are somewhat unclear and confusing. Also, the item goes against the Guideline Writing Item that says that the teacher should tell the student how much the question is worth. The guideline talks about how students that are unaware of how much items count will put more time and energy into low-value items and less time into high-value items.
5. POST YOUR INDIVIDUAL DESIGNS HERE: Your own design -KATHLEEN
1 short-answer assessment item
The President of the United States also has a military title which is _ -in- .
1 essay assessment item
In no more than 250 words discuss the president’s duties as the leader of the military and decisions he is responsible for making. This should take no more than 30 minutes to complete and is worth 25% of your test score.
Your own design - ASHLEY
1 short-answer assessment item
There are three branches of government: executive, legislative, and __
1 essay assessment item
In no more than 250 words explain the three branches of government and the role each branch plays. Also, explain why it is important to have three branches of government.
Your own design -KATELYN
1 short-answer assessment item
In 3-5 sentences explain what immigration is.
1 essay assessment item
In no more than 250 words explain how you feel about immigration as well as the positive and negative effects of it in the United States. This should take no more than thirty minutes and it will be worth 1/4 of your grade.
Your own design -JAMIE
1 short-answer assessment item
In about one sentence briefly describe what a community is?
1 essay assessment item In the book Of Mice and Men, Lenny and George had a special bond. In no more than 200 words write about their special bond and what you feel makes this friendship last. This will be worth about 10 percent of your grade in the class.
Your own design -PATTI
1 short-answer assessment item
In no more than 5 senteces, describe Dicey's character from the story "Dicey's Song".
1 essay assessment item
In "Dicey's Song", Dicey and Gram had a good relationship and were similar to one another. In at least 200 words describe the relationship between Gram and Dicey and why they had a good relationship. Also, describe how they were alike. This should take you no more than 20 to 30 minutes. This question is worth one third of the test grade.
1. Use the DISCUSSION tab above to find your discussion questions and/or tasks.
2. POST the selected response items created collaboratively with your discussion group here (as a group decide who will take the lead and post each item):
· 1 binary-choice assessment item
Choose fact or opinion:
Dogs are smarter than cats.
· 1 multiple binary-choice assessment item
Read the sentence stated below. Answer true or false to each statement.
Abby, Emma, Bob, and Kevin are all best friends. Emma is taller than Abby but shorter than Kevin. Kevin taller than Emma and Bob. Bob is shorter than Kevin and Emma. Bob is taller than Abby.
1. Emma is the tallest.
2. Kevin is the tallest.
3. Abby is the shortest.
4. Bob is the shortest.
5. Bob is the tallest.
(answers: 1. false, 2. true, 3. true, 4. false, 5. false)
· 1 multiple-choice assessment item
Read the question and circle the best response.
Timmy started with ten apples. His friend Joey gave him four more apples. His other friend Jill gave Timmy two apples. How many apples does Timmy have?
a. 10 apples
b. 4 apples
c. 14 apples
d. 12 apples
e. 16 apples
(answer: d. 16 apples)
· 1 matching item
Read all of the choices in column a. The items in column be can be found in the different states from column b. Match column a with the choices in column b.
COLUMN A
Grand Canyon
Statue of Liberty
Mount Rushmore
Golden Gate Bridge
White House
COLUMN B
New York
South Dakota
Arizona
Washington D.C.
California
3. POST YOUR GROUP CONSENSUS HERE (The group leader for these 4 Short Answer activities will be the member whose middle name comes earliest in alphabetical order.):
Short Answer Item # 1 - flaw(s)?
The group has agreed that the flaw in this short answer item is the fill-in-the-blanks.
Evidence:
This item goes against a few of the Item Writing Guidelines. First, one of the guidelines states that a direct question is always better for a short answer question as opposed to filling in the blank. This short answer could definitely confuse a student opposed to if a teacher used a direct question. Second, it goes against the guideline that states that all blanks should be treated equally. One blank is a lot larger than the other blank which supplies unintended clues to the students. The student would know that the first blank is a longer answer compared to the second one. Teachers should not vary the length of any blanks. Lastly, the guidelines also state that it is better to have a line at the end of the statement to write the answer because it is easier to grade and doesn't look like "Swiss Cheese".
Short Answer Item # 2 - flaw(s)?
The group has agreed that the flaw in this short answer item is the placement of the blank.
Evidence:
The item goes against the Item Writing Guidelines, it would have been better to structure this sentence by putting the blank at the end of the statement rather than at the beginning. The two least frequently used parts of speech in the English language are _ and . If you change the question around like this then it is much clearer for the students to understand. Also, it is now easier for the teacher when scoring the students tests.
Short Answer Item # 3 - flaw(s)?
The group has agreed that the flaw in this short answer item is that it provides an unclear statement as to what kind of turtle the teacher is referring to.
Evidence:
This item is breaking Commandment #2, though shall not state ambiguous statements in your assessment items. This question would most likely confuse the students because the students do not know what kind of turtle the teacher is talking about. It would be better for the teacher to actually state the type of turtle that is in the story “Tardy Turtle” instead of making the kind of turtle unclear. This is a very confusing question, which would be difficult for a child to answer correctly. Lastly, the line in the question could be longer because this question is for third grade students who tend to write very large.
Short Answer Item # 4 - flaw(s)?
The group has agreed that the flaw in this short answer item is the different lengths of the blanks.
Evidence:
This item goes against the Item Writing Guideline that states that all blanks are to be treated equally. The blanks are not the same length so the teacher is actually giving their student unintended clues about the answer. Since there are two blanks, the student can possibly narrow it down to the correct answer.
4. POST YOUR GROUP CONSENSUS HERE (The group leader for these 4 Essay activities will be the member whose birthday is closest to Independence Day, July 4th.):
Essay Item # 1 - flaw(s)?
The group has agreed that the flaws in this Essay Item are the options that the teacher gives to the students to complete the essay as well as the time limit he/she sets for the students.
Evidence:
This essay goes against the Item Writing Guideline that states that it is best not to offer optional items on essay exams. The teacher gives the students the option to choose which branch of government they believe is the most powerful. This makes it impossible for a teacher to compare exam performance on a common scale. Also, the teacher gives her students a half hour to complete the essay when she requires 500 words or less. This could be difficult for students to complete in that amount of time considering some students don’t work as fast as others.
Essay Item # 2 - flaw(s)?
The group has agreed that there are many flaws in this essay item. First the teacher does not specify how long the item should take to complete, second, it provides opaque directions, and third, the teacher gives the students more than one option.
Evidence:
The group has agreed that there are many flaws in this essay item. First the teacher does not specify how long the item should take to complete, second, it provides opaque directions, and third, the teacher gives the students more than one option.
Essy Item # 3 - flaw(s)?
The group has agreed that the flaw in this essay item is that it employs complex syntax in the assessment and it does not state how many points the question is worth.
Evidence:
This item goes against Commandment #4 which states that you shall not employ complex syntax in assessment items. The sentences are way to long and difficult for students. Also, it goes against the Item Writing Guideline that says that students should be aware of which items count for the most points. This item does not state how much the essay question is worth. If they do not know how much everything is worth they may spend more time on the less important items and less time on the more important ones.
Essay Item # 4 - flaw(s)?
The group has agreed that that flaw in this essay item is the opaque direction given and the teacher does not state how much the question is worth.
Evidence
This item goes against Commandment #1 which states that thou shall not provide opaque direction to students. The test directions are somewhat unclear and confusing. Also, the item goes against the Guideline Writing Item that says that the teacher should tell the student how much the question is worth. The guideline talks about how students that are unaware of how much items count will put more time and energy into low-value items and less time into high-value items.
5. POST YOUR INDIVIDUAL DESIGNS HERE:
Your own design -KATHLEEN
1 essay assessment itemYour own design - ASHLEY
- 1 essay assessment item
- In no more than 250 words explain the three branches of government and the role each branch plays. Also, explain why it is important to have three branches of government.
Your own design -KATELYN- 1 short-answer assessment item
In 3-5 sentences explain what immigration is.1 essay assessment item
In no more than 250 words explain how you feel about immigration as well as the positive and negative effects of it in the United States. This should take no more than thirty minutes and it will be worth 1/4 of your grade.
Your own design -JAMIE
1 essay assessment item
In the book Of Mice and Men, Lenny and George had a special bond. In no more than 200 words write about their special bond and what you feel makes this friendship last. This will be worth about 10 percent of your grade in the class.
Your own design -PATTI
1 short-answer assessment item- In no more than 5 senteces, describe Dicey's character from the story "Dicey's Song".
1 essay assessment item- In "Dicey's Song", Dicey and Gram had a good relationship and were similar to one another. In at least 200 words describe the relationship between Gram and Dicey and why they had a good relationship. Also, describe how they were alike. This should take you no more than 20 to 30 minutes. This question is worth one third of the test grade.
Your own design -
1 short-answer assessment item
1 essay assessment item